On the Symbolism of Baseball Hats
[[ As shown by the previous posts, I have been wrestling with why the MAGA hat is so effective and so disturbing.
Here are some thoughts about symbolism and baseball caps. ]]
What we call a symbol is a term, a name, or even a picture that may be familiar in daily life, yet that possesses specific connotations in addition to its conventional and obvious meaning.
It implies something vague, unknown, or hidden from us.
C.G. Jung
Man and His Symbols
The History of the Baseball Cap
It’s the people’s crown.
It’s completely egalitarian,” New Era’s senior VP of Brand, Mark Maidment, told MLB.com about the cap.
“You can put it on and you can feel great whether you’re a taxi driver, or you’re gonna play to 200,000 people at Coachella.”
“The baseball cap is a really great marketing tool,” Tom Shieber, senior curator for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, said.
“I don’t think they realized it was a marketing tool for a long, long time. People get it now, right?
I mean, entire businesses are based on it.
Because it’s right there. It’s a billboard, right above your head, where people pay attention.”